Section 2.3. Starting Up Applications

2.3. Starting Up Applications

Windows XP has more ways to launch a program than just about any other operating system:

  • Double-click on a program icon in Explorer, on the Desktop, or in a folder window.

  • Double-click on a file associated with an application to launch that application and open the file.

  • Pick the name of a program from the Start menu. (See "Start Menu" in Chapter 3 for details.)

  • Click on a program's icon in the Quick Launch Toolbar to start it. This Toolbar can include icons for any programs, although by default, it only has icons for Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and MSN. (See "Toolbars on the Taskbar" for details.)

  • Right-click on a file, executable, or application icon and choose Open.

  • Select (highlight) an icon and press the Enter key.

  • Type the filename of a program in the Address Bar, which can be displayed next to the Toolbar in any folder window, in Explorer, in Internet Explorer, or even as part of the Taskbar. You may also have to include the path (the folder and drive name) for some items.

  • Select Run from the Start menu and type the filename of a program. You may also have to include the path (the folder and drive name) for some items.

  • Open a command prompt window and type the name of the program at the prompt. Note that some knowledge of the command prompt (commonly known as DOS) is requiredsee Chapter 6 for details.

  • Create shortcuts to files or applications. A shortcut is a kind of pointer or linka small file and associated icon that point to a file or program in another location. You can put these shortcuts on the Desktop, in the Start menu, or anywhere else you find convenient . Double-click on a shortcut to launch the program. To launch programs automatically at startup, just place a shortcut in your Startup folder ( \Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\StartUp ).

Some programs are really "in your face." For example, if you install AOL, it puts an icon on the Desktop, in the Office Shortcut Bar, on the Start menu (in two places, no less), and even shoehorns an icon into the System Tray, which is normally reserved for system status indicators. Other, less-obtrusive programs may be more difficult to locate. In fact, you'll probably find several programs mentioned in this book you never even knew you had!



Windows XP in a Nutshell
Windows XP in a Nutshell, Second Edition
ISBN: 0596009003
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 266

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net